Greg here from Hansen Wholesale, where @tigerdunes purchased his ventless logs. I am also the one who has published all of the details at the Hansen Wholesale website regarding the pros and cons and differences between vented and ventless gas logs. Truth is, there are many considerations and we handle each case separately when dealing with our customers. In some cases, ventless makes sense, but in most cases vented gas logs are the best choice. The original thread here is 3 years old, but as I read the entire thread there is some confusion about welding the damper open when installing a direct vent gas log. I think Anapolitan may have confused "Vented" gas logs with a "Direct Vent Insert". There are no "Direct Vent Gas Logs". Direct vent refers to sealed metal box that you insert into the fireplace. There are two ducts that get run up the chimney with a special chimney cap installed at the top. One vent draws outside air down the chimney for combustion while the other is used for exhaust. It is an air tight sealed unit. Because there are 2 ducts, the damper would have to be propped open to feed the ducts up the chimney. Vented gas logs require that the damper is open when they are burning. Some municipalities may require you to weld the damper open when using a vented gas log. The reason vented logs need the damper open is because they burn more like real wood where they intentionally do not completely burn the gas. This creates a wafty yellow flame very much like real wood. It also produces Carbon Monoxide (lethal gas), Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor and Soot. Hence the reason the damper needs to be open. With the damper open, most of the heat goes up the flue. Because ventless logs burn the gas completely, at least in an ideal situation, the byproducts are Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor, neither of which present a health issue when used in moderation. Since the damper is closed, 99.99% of the heat produced by burning the gas will come into the room, so ventless gas logs produce a LOT of heat, sometimes too much. The R. H. Peterson ventless gas logs are rated as both vented and ventless. Technically, if they are intended to be used as vented logs the damper must be propped open permanently, but most people ignore that. The best solution to the issue of leaving the damper open all the time is to add a glass door to the fireplace so you can close the doors when the fire is off. Anyways, I have much more detail on our website and in the heads of our gas log experts. Anyone reading this may want to talk to us directly because each case really does need to be handled on an individual basis. Profided by: Greg Tillotson Hansen Wholesale: Gas Logs and Fireplace Doors Feel free to email me directly. If you do, be sure to include some pictures of your fireplace along with the inside dimensions: gregt@hansenwholesale.com P.S. If this comes through all in bold, I tried turning the bold off, but it wouldn't listen.

https://www.cooling-heating.net/ Below are a list of advantages of a gas fireplace that will help you a decision choosing between gas or wood burning. 1. Continuous Heat Unlike a log fireplace, a gas fireplace has constant heat. 2. No Hauling No need to buy or chop firewood which means you are not harming a tree, which in turn helps the environment. 3. Energy Savings A gas fireplace can save up to 25% on your energy bill. 4. No Cleaning Because you are not using firewood it means no ashes to tidy or sweep up. Also a wood fireplace needs to be cleaned along the chimney die to prevent the build-up of creosote. 5. Easy to Operate A gas fireplace is easy to turn on and off, just by the the flip of a switch unlike a wood fireplace that takes time to set up, and get your room warm instantly. 6. Environmentally Friendly The environment benefits nicely from a gas fireplace because there are no fumes being released into the air, and a sound choice for the future. What will the next 20 year’s bring with power and how we make it. Natural Gas exists and is readily available with little work to supply. 7. Warmer There are gas fireplace models that have a blower already built in which helps to circulate the warm air throughout the home and not just in one area where the unit is places. 8. Stylish There is numerous styles and designs with gas fireplaces, and because of this it can add value to your home. From natural looking logs to beautiful grates, gas fireplace design has come a long way. 9. Remote Most gas fireplaces come with easy to control remote control similar to a TV, making it easy to operate for anyone in the family. 10. Good for Kids A gas fireplace is safer for children and pets since it is controlled and there are no fly away sparks or flames. 11. Installation The cost of installing a gas fireplace is often more affordable that a wood burning one, and can be easily installed by Gas Works. 12. Safer It’s less work than a wood alternative fireplace and is cleaner and safer. There is no wood piles, no wild life nests outside for spiders and snakes and no trips outside in the Winter to collect the firewood from a shed. 13. Investment A gas fireplace is a sound investment, it’s an asset to your home, the typical Adelaide home will only increase in value when you choose to add a well designed feature fire place.

OK, What you have is called a direct vent gas fireplace. These things are built with finely tuned burner systems that are designed ONLY for the logs that came with them. Unless you are lucky that it is a model that was also designed to have the option of glass or some other media, you cannot safely change the burner system or logs in any way. There is no product made to retrofit into this type of fireplace other than what the manufacturer has tested and made for it. To determine if the manufacturer made any other options, find the make and model number and google it to locate the owners manual. It looks like you can see the label inside on the bottom. All of the options will be listed in the owners manual. Read it carefully so you understand the appliance. This comes from someone having been in the fireplace business for over 30 years. Be safe.

DON'T DO IT! I grew up in a house for the first nearly 20 years of my life that had a see-through fireplace with glass only on one side and a chain screen on the other. The reason they don't build these is because they cannot draw properly, at least based on what I understand. Your house will be filled with smoke if you ever want to actually use the fireplace. We had to use our fireplace for school art project displays because otherwise we never could use it for anything but display. A professional fireplace consultant that my parents hired came out to see if anything could be done, and it really couldn't. They're just not great ideas unless maybe you put gas logs, but I'd be concerned about proper drafting even with that.